Benefits reduction

[Bonsaitreepic]

I got my UC payment today. Just checked and it’s almost £300 less than usual. This is because my oldest is now classed as an adult as he’s left ft education. He’s not currently in work.
I have 3 other children but now I seemingly only get support for 2 of them due to the child cap.
Im freaking out. I only get maintenance for one of the children as I have the other 2 50/50 with their dad. I cannot afford to lose this much money every month. I was already struggling as it was. I’m unable to work just yet as one of the children has complex needs. I already get some DLA for them.
im quite sure there’s nothing I can do about this but I’m so worried

It wss capped for subsequent children born after 2017 .

So he gets £250 and you are down £300? So actually a £50 difference for the state supporting another adult without a job?

There are plenty of jobs since there are NOT enough workers - a job should be easy to find for an 18/19 year old. He doesn't have to "decide" anything. Many jobs are easy-come, easy-go. He should just start one and keep looking around for what else is out there.

His benefits are part of your family pot, but also, as an adult, he can choose how to use them. Think about his expenses - they now include his share of the groceries and bills, and you should work out what he should really be paying you.

The op was claiming for 3 children, including her eldest, because she was claiming before the cap came into force.

Now there is a cap, she will only be able to continue to claim for the two children she is already claiming for, it won’t transfer to another child. She has four children in total.

Op are you sure you're claiming all you're entitled to? If your child gets DLA are you claiming carers allowance? Have you got the disability and carers element on UC?

He’s a fussy eater so tends to buy a lot of his own food as he won’t eat what everyone else does. I think the main expenses for him are internet, electric, rent. I also pay his phone bill as that wasn’t an as present a couple of years ago. Think that’s only about £20 though

I do t claim carers allowance as I was told there’s be no difference in the amount I received

You can claim the carers premium on UC without claiming carers allowance.

if you’re in the north west I know of two call centres offering hybrid inbound call handler roles starting at £22k no experience needed that your son could apply for. They are desperate for staff. In fact a lot of places are desperate for staff at the moment!

Adults who want to have all of these things need jobs

It's tough op. I lost over £500 a month when my 2 eldest moved out. Because I claim carers allowance I can't even work enough to make up the difference.
Good luck to you. Sadly your child is going to have to contribute alot more than £50 a month which is shit when they trying to find their way in the world

What did he do for pocket money before he left full time education?
The fact that you are down £300 per month and he is receiving £250 per month he should give you all of that.

Your eldest needs to get a job then and you also need to look for a job

I’m sorry but as per pp’s your son needs to get a job. It doesn’t matter what he does but he needs to learn the world doesn’t owe him a living. He’s an adult FGS. Benefits aren’t there for grown men to ‘ be at a crossroads and decide what they want to do’ !

I think you need £200 from him, if you are feeding him. He keeps £50 pocket money.

Not very relevant to your situation OP, which I have sympathy for. But can we all just take a moment to appreciate how ludicrous it is that a country with a staggeringly sharply declining birthrate is disincentivising having children 😂 who do the government think is going to pay taxes in 30 year's time?

People who work. Like the OP’s son should.

The benefits cap isn’t the same thing as the two child limit for claiming benefits.

Any income received from Carer’s allowance is deducted like for like from your UC BUT you will also receive the carers element on top which is another £186.

In the meantime take £200 from your adult child, they can struggle with the £50, not you!

So he gets nicely supported through childhood and her other children are left to struggle? Hmmmmm

If families don't work, they don't pay tax.

You get less because he now gets £250 a month! There is no way £50 a month covers his expenses. He's an adult he needs to make up the short fall you lost in his child payments now he is an adult. If he wants more money he can get a part time job.

The population of the UK increases by more than 1,500 per day. I'd like to think at least some of those are net tax contributors, which should (a) mitigate against the falling birthrate, and (b) fund the OP's son whilst he decides what he wants to do with his life!

Yep. I think he should give it to you, you give him some money every now and then if you can and he needs to get a job.

People won't like to hear this, but if your son isn't in education he needs to go to work full time. I am sympathetic to your situation, but the tax paying population aren't working to pay for your son to "take time to decide". Essentially, the money you used to get now goes to him. If he won't pay you that, or a large proportion, he'll need to make his own way.